Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-09

A PENAL Colony. where Criminals aud
Political Prisoners sIingIc.
tCourler-Journsl.l

lCOurler-JOurnal
For nearly two centuries Siberia has been
famous, or Infamous, as place OF Danish
ment for those who offend against the social
or political laws Of Russia. Peter the Great
began the transportation OF criminals to ST.
IBERIA in i710; previous TO that date the
country bad been used as land OF Danish
ment for officials whom the Government
wished to get out OF the way without putting
them to death, but the number OF
these depOrted individuals was not large.
Ever since Peters cay the work OF
exiting criminals TO Siberia has been
kept IN; the ordinary travel OF
this sort is about 10000 annually. and some
times IL reaches as high as 10000 or 1900.
Outside Of this deportation is that OF ReYo-
lutiOnists, Nihilists, and others who offend
politically rather than criminally, although
aEy opposition 10 the autocratlc power OF
the Car Is likely TO be regarded az crimi-
nal IN the eyes OF the Russian Government.
After every revolution in Poland the num-
Der Of exiles Is rapidly augmented; in the
wear following the revolt Of 1868 BLOOD
Poles were sent TO Siberia, aud for two or
three years aiterward there were from TO-
600 TO 10000 unhappy lovers OF iudepend-
cnce who travelled the same route.
Sometimes the political prisoners are
mingled with the criminals, but ordinarily
they are kept apart. In former times the
prisoners were compelled to walk to their
destinations, and the journey from 50. Pc
,trsburg TO the regions beyond Lake Baikal,
distance Of nearly four thousand
miles, occupied two years, and sometimes
more. and many OF the eXiles died on the
road from fatigue and priyations. IL
was found more economical to trans
-. 81 ha M
ny Iail and steamboat when possible, than
TO require them to walk, and for the last
twenty years or more fivc-SiXths OF the
exiles have been carried in this way. At
points VARYING from ten to twenty miles
spart along the great road through Siberia
tiere are houses for the Judgment OF prison
crs at night; they afford a shelter from the
weather, hut very little else. as they are
almost always badly ventilated and very
dirty. and occupants steep on the bare floor
or benches. without any other covering
than the clothes they wear. Some
times in summer the officer In charge
Of a convoy OF prisoners Will per-
nit them 10 sleep ont OF doors at night
instead Of entering the filthy stations, but
in such ease he requires the personal
promise OF every exile in the convoy that
he viii mike no attempt to escape. and ne
further makes the whole party responsible
far individual conduct. Under such clr-
cnmsiances. IL one OF the prisoners should
violate lhS parole and run away no iurther
fayors would be shown to the rest, and
tbey would be put on low rltiOns OF food
and otherwise punished. IL Is needless 10
saw they take good care that the promise l.
lert. This privilege Is accorded only to
the conyoys OF political offenders. Tue
criminal classes are no, considered worthy
Of sub confidence in their honor.
Prison life in Siberia Is OF many varieties
according to the offences OF different lndi-
yiduals and the sentences which have been
decrced i'm their cages. The lowest SEM
fence IS 10 simple Punishment Tor three
wears and the highest to hard labor Tor
life. The simple exile without lmprlSon'
mcnt is appointed TO live in acertaln to|n,
district. or province, and must report 10
! the police at stated intervals. He mas en-
gage in certain specified occupations or
rather i'm any occupation which l. not Oh
prohibited list, for example, he may
teach music or painting. but may
| not teach language, a. they al)rd
the opprtunity for propagating reyo-
lutiOnary IDEAS. He may become mer'
chant, farmer, mechanic, contractor, or
anNlElHE NlSt Ol iudl HDiif anu ~ hbI III
frequently happens that eXiles enjoy q de-
gree Of prosperity in their new homes that
they did not have in European Russia.
Exilos and their sons have become million
ajIc, i'm SIheril: former Vanderbilt OF
Likout,k, the capital OF Eastern Siberia.
was the son Of an exile serf; his enormous
fortune having been gained in the over
land tea trade. Many eXile' become 30
attached to Siberia that they remain there
| alter their term OF Punishment i
| ended. but Il should be understood that
| fheil eases are the exception rather than
The rule. The wife and immature children
| q an exile may follow or accompany him
| at the expense Of the Government, but can
| not return 10 Europe until his term OF cer-
| vice has expired. The object OF exile j. to
furnish population TO this sparsely.in-
| habiteg region, and il goes without saving
| that family.man is much more likely to
! be- a good citizen when his wife and chill
| dren are with him than when they are
| thousands Of miles away. The name Of
| .. prisoner' or exile " is never applied
TO The banished individuals; in the Ian
| guage OF the people they are called Gun
| fortunates." aud in official documents they
| arc termed involuntary emigrlnts.'
OF those sentenced to forced labor some
are ordered to become colOnsts; they are
| furnished with the tools and materials for
| building a house on plot OF ground al
lOtted 10 them, and for three years Gao re-
| ceivc rations from the nearest Government
station. but when the three years have eX-
pired they are expected to support them
| selves. II they were sent to the southern
ard western fertile parts OF Siberia their LOT
would not be severe one, but the most o.
these COl0n,ts are assigned to The northern
| regions. where the support Of life from
| ullipg the soil or from hunting and fish
ing Is a matter OF great difficulty. Those
who are kept in prison and SEN
fenced to hard labor are employed In
| mines, mills, founderies, or on the public
| roads. Many OF them wear chains which
| extend from giTdle around the waist to
each ankle, and e1ectually preclude the
| possibility OF running away. Their lie Is
a bard one, as their food is coarse and
often limited IN quantity. II is bad enough
| under kind-hearted Oyerseers and superin-
tendents. and terrible where the masters
are cruel, which happens altogether too
often. In the time OF the first Alexander
and the Emperor Nicholas the treatment OF
the prisoners in Siberia was more severe
than at present, but even day there IS
great opportunity for ameioration.
The Religious Character OF wash
Ingt0n,